Michigan: After Sex Scandal, Republicans Seek Old Seats

By The Associated Press

Sept. 18, 2015

Two conservative former members of the State House who had an extramarital affair and tried to conceal it will both run for their old seats. Todd Courser resigned last week amid debate over whether to expel him and his fellow Tea Party Republican Cindy Gamrat. Mr. Courser filed before Friday’s deadline along with 10 other Republicans and three Democrats. Ms. Gamrat was expelled, and she filed Thursday to also run for her old seat — joining seven other Republicans and one Democrat. The special primary will be Nov. 3 in the Republican-heavy districts. Mr. Courser sent a hoax email to Republican activists and others that claimed he had been caught with a male prostitute and called him a “bi-sexual porn addicted sex deviant” and Ms. Gamrat a “tramp.” The intent was to make their affair less believable if exposed by an anonymous blackmailer.

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A12 of the New York edition with the headline: Michigan: After Sex Scandal, Republicans Seek Old Seats . Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe